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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No: 546-97October 16, 1997

PARTIAL EVACUATION DRILL PLANNED FOR PENTAGON

A limited evacuation drill of the Pentagon is set to occur Friday, Oct. 17, 1997 at 2 p.m. (EDT), weather permitting. At that time, nearly 5,000 people located between corridors three and five, working in rooms with numbers 350 through 550 on all five floors, will stream out of the building to designated areas near the Pentagon parking lots and its helicopter landing area.

The Pentagon's director of real estate and facilities, Walt Freeman, said the evacuation drill is in observance of National Fire Prevention Month and will test the building's fire alarm system and its evacuation procedures.

"We realize that a complete evacuation drill of the Pentagon is not practical," Freeman said. "However, this limited exercise will be extremely beneficial in making building occupants more aware of evacuation plans in case they are ever needed." A building circular announcing the limited evacuation drill was issued on Sept. 29, 1997. In addition, posters highlighting the event were placed in strategic locations throughout the Pentagon and evacuation route maps were provided to all affected offices.

Office spaces affected by the evacuation drill will be checked by Defense Protective Service and safety personnel to ensure evacuation has taken place. Each office is allowed to have one person remain for phone coverage. Freeman noted that a "rain date" of Oct. 24, has been established if there is inclement weather on the 17th.

NOTE: Media representatives wishing to cover this event should contact Glenn Flood in the Directorate for Defense Information, (703) 695-6294.